Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Media Watch

NYPD Kisses the Blarney Stone After Ray Kelly Saves the Day

parade_kelly.jpgPhoto: Daily News

We couldn't help notice that, while police information czar Paul Browne was seemingly chatting up every media outlet in town about his boss coming to the aid of a fallen pedestrian this week, we were adding two letters to our stack of NYPD freedom of information rejections. 

As we announced last week, in most of the pedestrian fatality cases for which we've filed FOIL requests, authorities have reportedly determined the driver was not at fault. Some cases are months old. Yet of the 10 requests submitted so far, NYPD has declined to release any information pertaining to eight deaths. By contrast, within hours the department supplied the press with meticulous details of Wednesday's collision between a cyclist and a pedestrian, a scene Commissioner Ray Kelly happened upon en route to the St. Patrick's Day parade. We can't sum up the double-standard any better than Streetsblog reader BicyclesOnly:

This is blatant manipulation of publicinformation by the NYPD and they've got to be called on it. The mediashould demand an explanation from Browne right now as to whythere is a different policy concerning release of public information oncrashes depending upon the identify of the victim.

Of course there was no such demand from reporters, who were content to package Wednesday's incident as a heartwarming slice-of-life feature.

Meanwhile, the City Council may soon try to force NYPD to loosen its grip on crash information for the good of all New Yorkers who don't happen to fall in the presence of our heroic police commissioner.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

U.S. DOT Moves to Rescind Billions for ‘Woke’ Transportation on Feb. 18 — So Advocates Must Speak Up Now

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has promised to call on Congress to slash vast funding for climate and DEIA.

February 14, 2025

Friday Video: Catch the Green Wave

Even the Times loves it.

February 14, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Pressure on City Hall Edition

The MTA needs more and more money from the city — is Mayor Adams too distracted to ensure New York City gets bang for its buck? Plus more news.

February 14, 2025

ACE In The Hole: MTA’s Bus-Mounted Cameras Nab Over 400K Bus Stop Blockers

Bus enforcement cameras are working way better than cops.

February 13, 2025

City E-Bike Swap Program Uses Bikes from Fly, a Company With Safety Violations

A Streetsblog investigation found Fly, a popular e-bike and moped vendor, has consistently skirted city regulations, but now the company is at the heart of the city's first e-bike trade-in program.

February 13, 2025
See all posts